Foam filled watercraft float with rollers

ABSTRACT

A thin molded outer shell houses a foam filled interior on a watercraft float. Rollers supported by extra foam assist in the loading and unloading of watercraft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to floats for watercraft and in particular to a foam-filled personal watercraft float with rollers for assisting the loading and unloading of the watercraft, the foam-filled float comprising a lightweight single-ply molded body, threaded inserts created in the molded body, a plurality of roller axles mounted in said threaded inserts, rollers mounted on the roller axles, and foam-filling within the molded body made from lightweight polystyrene beads wherein the foam has higher density and strength in areas which support the roller axles.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Drive-on floats for supporting personal watercraft are known in the art. Many have bodies which are blow molded and air filled. These weak structures demand higher wall thickness of high priced polyethylene to compensate for lack of strength. If the devices are provided with a roller to assist with loading or unloading a watercraft, the area under the roller tends to bend or give with large amounts of weight. Lack of shock absorbing foam fill can make the product break or crack during heavy wave action or can allow fractures during high impacts. If the air-filled bodies are punctured or cracked, the float may fill with water and sink.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,872, issued Jul. 4, 2006 to Ostreng, illustrates a floating drive-on watercraft dock which comprises a one-piece molded body defining a watercraft receiving area. The watercraft receiving area includes roller assemblies on the bottom of the watercraft receiving area and glide assemblies on the sides of the watercraft receiving area. The roller and glide assemblies can be easily removed and replaced for servicing of the watercraft dock. An extension unit is provided which can be connected to the watercraft dock body. The extension unit includes an extension body and a tongue extending from the extension body. The tongue is sized and shaped to have a bottom surface complementary to the entrance to the watercraft receiving area of the watercraft dock body. The extension unit also includes a watercraft receiving area, which, when the extension unit is connected to the watercraft dock, increases the length of the watercraft receiving area.

U.S. Pat. No. D506,431, issued Jun. 21, 2005 to Elson, shows the ornamental design for the floating dock.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,687, issued Dec. 28, 1999 to Hillman, provides a modular floating boat lift capable of accommodating a wide variety of V-hulled boats. The boat lift is comprised of docking members, a bow stop that protects the hull of the boat, a stern segment and at least one intermediate segment. The stern segment and intermediate segment contain a channel with rollers that assist in conveying the boat over the boat lift and supporting the boat when docked. The rollers have different height configurations and can be positioned in different trays in the channel so that they can be used with boats that have different dead rise angles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,727, issued Mar. 2, 1999 to Elson, describes a lift for docking a personal watercraft from a body of water which has a shell with a cradle for supporting the watercraft and an open end for horizontally receiving the watercraft. Buoyant filler within the shell causes the shell to float with its open end approximately aligned with the water surface. A replaceable skid plate substantially centered on the open end of the shell engages the tapered bow portion of the watercraft during the docking process and guides the watercraft into substantially a centered position on the shell and raises the watercraft upwardly and drives the shell downwardly as the watercraft is horizontally transferred onto the shell from the body of water. The shell has two pairs of posts, one pair extending forwardly from the front and one pair rearwardly from the back, one proximate each of the sides of the shell. Each post has a flange about its free end. A pair of flat, resiliently elastic members mounted in side-by-side position of adjacent shells assures maximum stability of the multiple lift arrangement. Each elastic member may have at least one distortion aperture so that forces exerted on connected shells will tend to deform the distortion apertures rather than the mounting apertures and reduce the possibility of a lift being separated from its multiple lift arrangement. This device has no hull rollers and uses a skid plate in their place.

U.S. Pat. No. D532,360, issued Nov. 21, 2006 to Ostreng, provides the ornamental design for a floating drive-on boat dock.

U.S. Pat. No. D521,442, issued May 23, 2006 to Ostreng, shows the ornamental design for an extended floating drive-on boat dock.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,545, issued Oct. 5, 1993 to Gettman, claims a lightweight cradle system for use in launching, beaching, transporting and storing personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis. The cradle system cradles a personal watercraft with side and front support pads, and with roller systems at the lower aspect thereof. During use water is allowed to enter hollow side pipes and provide stabilizing effective weight to the cradle system. Use of the device allows an unaided young or small physical stature person to safely secure a launched personal watercraft without causing damage thereto. The device also provides elements which allow grasping and carrying of a cradle system/personal watercraft combination by two or more physically capable persons.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,668, issued May 30, 2006 to Quinto, is for a floating docking system for personal watercraft which is moored to the shore by at least one stake, which permits the dock to float several feet away from the shore. The docking system has a shape which is conformed to the shape of the personal watercraft with the method of having a rolling means on a rope stretched across the entrance to the dock so that the dock itself is pulled adjacent the sides of the personal watercraft as it enters the slip so that the personal watercraft will not bang against other personal watercraft and is snugly retained within the dock.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,046, issued May 22, 1973 to Schmidt, provides a floating dry dock consisting of a buoyant platform having a section adapted to be pivoted downwardly to form a ramp extending at its free edge beneath the water level, and up which a boat may be pulled from the water to the platform, the ramp section having sufficient buoyancy to support the boat, or that portion of the boat weight eventually supported thereon, cable mechanism for pivoting the ramp section downwardly against its natural buoyancy, cable mechanism for pulling a boat upwardly along the ramp section, locks for holding the ramp section releasably in its elevated position, and supports on the platform and ramp section for carrying the boat.

What is needed is a foam-filled personal watercraft float with rollers for assisting the loading and unloading of the watercraft, the foam-filled float comprising a lightweight single-ply molded body, threaded inserts created in the molded body, a plurality of roller axles mounted in said threaded inserts, rollers mounted on the roller axles, and foam-filling within the molded body made from lightweight polystyrene beads wherein the foam has higher density and strength in areas which support the roller axles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide rollers on a foam filled watercraft float to provide easier unloading of the watercraft from the float and a smoother easier mounting of the watercraft onto the float. The float has threading inserts for receiving a roller axle or a roller assembly set that can screwed into the molded threaded inserts. A dense foam under the polythene-threaded insert will add extra support to the roller assembly to provide extra strength in the structure of the rollers area due to density of foam within pressured areas.

A further object of the foam filling of the present invention is to help stabilize the float, prevent bending, and reduce the sinking of the rollers under the weight of the watercraft.

In brief, a foam-filled personal watercraft float with rollers for assisting the loading and unloading of the watercraft comprises a lightweight single-ply molded body, threaded inserts created in the molded body, a plurality of roller axles mounted in said threaded inserts, rollers mounted on the roller axles, and foam-filling within the molded body made from lightweight polystyrene beads wherein the foam has higher density and strength in areas which support the roller axles.

The strength is so important on a watercraft float because the roller will consume a large amount of force, pressure, and weight. It is essential that the roller system is a very stable structure.

Furthermore, the foam with a single wall outer shell will also absorb impacts and shocks better for the roller system, which will help drive-on and longevity of roller parts and roller assembly.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides lighter units due to lightweight polystyrene beads inside single thickness shell instead of double thickness of heavy polyethylene shells found in prior art floats.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide smaller units due to a thinner wall thickness compared to bulky polyethylene floats.

A related advantage of the present invention is that the lighter weight smaller body lowers shipping, storage, product, and handling costs.

One more advantage of the present invention is that the foam filling inside the thinner shell acts as a shock absorber thus making it better for absorbing impacts for the drive-on float.

Still another advantage is that the encapsulated polystyrene (EPS) foam filling is usable as a secondary floatation material by itself without the shell so that damage to the shell does not alter the buoyancy of the float.

Another further advantage of the present invention is that the foam filled shell will not sink if the shell is punctured, because very little water can enter due to the foam filling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the watercraft float of the present invention showing the thin outer shell and interior fill including a denser fill supporting the rollers;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a prior art watercraft float having a thick outer shell and air filled interior;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the prior art watercraft float of FIG. 2A having a leak in the thick outer shell so that water is filling the interior;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the watercraft float of the present invention showing the rows of rollers on the top surface;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the watercraft float of FIG. 3 in a body of water showing a personal watercraft resting on the watercraft float.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-4, a foam filled thin shelled watercraft float device 20 with rollers 18 and a thin outer shell 15 filled with a floatation foam 16A in the sides and center and a dense floatation foam 16B under the rollers 18.

In FIG. 1, the watercraft float body 20 comprises a thin single-ply outer shell 15 molded of watertight flexible material. The outer shell 15 houses an interior filled completely with floatation foam 16A and 16B to form a buoyant watercraft float body with the resilient outer shell 15 supported by the floatation foam 16A and 16B, the floatation foam structured to float on water so that the watercraft float body will remain floating and supporting a watercraft 40 should a leak occur is the outer shell.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, a prior art float 60 has an out shell 65 of a thickness Y which is at least twice as thick as the thickness X of the present invention of FIG. 1 because the air filled prior art float has an interior air space 61 with no support for the outer shell 65. In FIG. 2B, a leak 67 in a side wall of the prior art float 60 causes the float to fill with water 50, which can not happen in the present invention of FIG. 1 because of the floatation foam 16A and 16B filling the interior space.

In FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a plurality of rollers 18 attached to a top surface 24 of the watercraft float body assist the loading and unloading of watercraft 50, as shown in FIG. 4, on the top surface loading trough 23 of the watercraft float body. The plurality of rollers 18 comprise a plurality of threaded inserts 17 created in a roller support portion of the molded body filled with a dense floatation foam 1 6B below the rollers 18, a plurality of roller axles 19 mounted in the plurality of threaded inserts 17, a plurality of rollers 18 mounted on the plurality roller axles 19. The plurality of rollers 18 are arrayed in two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers 18 in contact with a pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks 21 to receive a watercraft 50 on the rollers to assist the movement of the watercraft onto and off of the watercraft float body 20. The two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers 18 preferably comprise rubber rollers positioned at an angle to the top of the watercraft float body so that each of the rollers in each of the parallel rows of angled rollers is perpendicular to a bow of the watercraft 50 riding on the rollers 18.

A high density high strength floatation foam 1 6B is positioned below the rollers 18 to maintain the plurality of rollers 18 in position attached to the watercraft float body under the weight of the watercraft 50 thereon.

The floatation foam 16A and 16B filling the outer shell 15 within the molded body comprises encapsulated polystyrene foam and preferably encapsulated polystyrene foam beads.

In FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the top surface 24 of the watercraft float body 20 comprises a flat top surface 24 adjacent to the two sides and the back end of the watercraft float, a pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks 21 having the two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers 18 each attached to one of the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks 21 and to the top surface of the watercraft float body along a portion of the length of the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks having the plurality of rollers extending above the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks, a recessed boat receiving trough 23 between the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks, and a sloping boat ramp 25 extending downwardly from the boat receiving trough to a low boat receiving edge positioned below a level of the water at a front end of the watercraft float with the watercraft float in a body of water, to receive a watercraft 50, as shown in FIG. 4, driven from a body of water 50 surrounding the watercraft float 20 up the ramp 25 into the recessed boat receiving trough 23 with the two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers acting as guides for directing the watercraft into the boat receiving trough 23.

The present invention is preferably a stackable watercraft float 20, as claimed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,033 incorporated herein as reference, comprising bottom slots 22 which receive the top protruding guide ribs or rails or tracks 21 of another float in the slots 22 when a number of the watercraft floats are stacked for storage or transportation, thus allowing the flat bottom surfaces 26 to contact the flat top surfaces 24 of adjacent watercraft floats.

Four openings 27, one in each of the four corners of the float, allow a securing device to attach the float to a stationary mooring.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A foam filled thin shelled watercraft float device with rollers, the device comprising: a watercraft float body comprising a single-ply outer shell molded of watertight flexible material, the outer shell housing an interior filled completely with floatation foam to form a buoyant watercraft float body with the resilient outer shell supported by the floatation foam, the floatation foam structured to float on water so that the watercraft float body will remain floating and supporting a watercraft should a leak occur is the outer shell; a plurality of rollers attached to a top surface of the watercraft float body for assisting the loading and unloading of watercraft on the top surface of the watercraft float body, the plurality of rollers comprising a plurality of threaded inserts created in a roller support portion of the molded body, a plurality of roller axles mounted in the plurality of threaded inserts, a plurality of rollers mounted on the plurality roller axles, the plurality of rollers arrayed in two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers to receive a watercraft on the rollers to assist the movement of the watercraft onto and off of the watercraft float body; the floatation foam comprising a high density high strength foam positioned below the roller support portion of the top surface of the watercraft float body to maintain the plurality of rollers in position attached to the watercraft float body under the weight of the watercraft thereon.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the floatation foam within the molded body comprises encapsulated polystyrene foam.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the floatation foam within the molded body comprises lightweight encapsulated polystyrene foam beads.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers comprise rubber rollers positioned at an angle to the top of the watercraft float body so that each of the rollers in each of the parallel rows of angled rollers is perpendicular to a bow of the watercraft riding on the rollers.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the watercraft float body comprises a flat top surface adjacent to the two sides and the back end of the watercraft float, a pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks having the two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers each attached to one of the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks and to the top surface of the watercraft float body along a portion of the length of the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks having the plurality of rollers extending above the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks, a recessed boat receiving trough between the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks, and a sloping boat ramp extending downwardly from the boat receiving trough to a low boat receiving edge positioned below a level of the water at a front end of the watercraft float with the watercraft float in a body of water, to receive a watercraft driven from a body of water surrounding the watercraft float up the ramp into the recessed boat receiving trough with the two spaced parallel rows of angled rollers acting as guides for directing the watercraft into the boat receiving trough.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein a bottom surface of the watercraft float body comprises a flat bottom surface with a pair of spaced parallel indented slots in the bottom of the watercraft float directly below the pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks on the top surface, the pair of spaced parallel indented slots configured to receive and mate with a pair of protruding spaced parallel tracks from another similar watercraft float positioned directly below the watercraft float in a stacked array comprising an upper watercraft float and a lower watercraft float with a flat top surface of the lower watercraft float contacting the flat bottom surface of the upper watercraft float so that a number of the watercraft floats can be stacked together for transportation and storage in a stacked array with the tracks and slots interlocking to secure the stacked array which takes up less vertical space than watercraft floats with no bottom slots to receive the top tracks.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the outer shell has a wall thickness of the 3/16 inch. 